deepundergroundpoetry.com
Lunar Lunacy
Manmade moons and starlight satellites
Will soon brighten our night
For convenience and aesthetic delight
Bathing our precious planet
With artificial incandescent light
Yet, because of this marvel
There will be no survival
For creatures nocturnal
Not the bat, or the owl
Nor the banded armadillo
These poor children of the night
Forced into synthetic daylight
Will suffer and perish
In confusion and fright
For humans have proven
Throughout our history
That we have no empathy
For creatures we believe
Are lesser than we
#ElizabethBishop
Will soon brighten our night
For convenience and aesthetic delight
Bathing our precious planet
With artificial incandescent light
Yet, because of this marvel
There will be no survival
For creatures nocturnal
Not the bat, or the owl
Nor the banded armadillo
These poor children of the night
Forced into synthetic daylight
Will suffer and perish
In confusion and fright
For humans have proven
Throughout our history
That we have no empathy
For creatures we believe
Are lesser than we
#ElizabethBishop
Published 8th Nov 2018
Author's Note
Author’s Notes;
For several decades humans have had the technology to put into orbit satellites that can reflect more light than is made by the moon. This artificial starlight will make streetlights obsolete. In addition, they could double as orbiting billboards displaying company logos. Sadly, despite years of warning by environmental scientists, that such artificial light would devastate nocturnal wildlife, within the next few years dozens of these manmade moons will be deployed.
My poem was inspired by Elizabeth Bishop’s work ‘Armadillo.’ Her poem is based on observing a fire-lantern show in Brazil. Though the sight was beautiful to her it wasn’t for the Armadillo she witnessed fleeing in terror.
http://time.com/5429288/china-chengdu-artificial-moon/
http
For several decades humans have had the technology to put into orbit satellites that can reflect more light than is made by the moon. This artificial starlight will make streetlights obsolete. In addition, they could double as orbiting billboards displaying company logos. Sadly, despite years of warning by environmental scientists, that such artificial light would devastate nocturnal wildlife, within the next few years dozens of these manmade moons will be deployed.
My poem was inspired by Elizabeth Bishop’s work ‘Armadillo.’ Her poem is based on observing a fire-lantern show in Brazil. Though the sight was beautiful to her it wasn’t for the Armadillo she witnessed fleeing in terror.
http://time.com/5429288/china-chengdu-artificial-moon/
http
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8th Nov 2018 1:18pm
Snugglebuck, both Johnny and I believe you really stepped out of the box on this one. In Bishop's 'The Armadillo' she was attempting to create a sense of horror from man-made beauty where natire is left defenseless. Just as the observer to the Rio carnival was left mesmerized by the beauty of fire, so were many too left horrified by its results.
In other words, you nailed this one.
Thank you for your entry; best of luck in the comp.
In other words, you nailed this one.
Thank you for your entry; best of luck in the comp.
10th Nov 2018 1:42am
Why thank you. Coming from such good poets as you two, this is quite the compliment.
Anonymous
- Edited 8th Nov 2018 1:36pm
8th Nov 2018 1:31pm
This is an amazing poem, Snuggleback. I feel as though I am reading a poet whose been established for hundred years or so. It is very refined, flowing and rhythmic.
For example, the second stanza is is chock full of rhyme and half-rhyme that never comes across as forced. The O in "armadillo" plays off splendidly with "owl" and "no" earlier on.
This is definitely worthy of the hashtag #ElizabethBishop and I'm sure she would be proud of all the effort you went into honoring her poem with your own personal take.
For example, the second stanza is is chock full of rhyme and half-rhyme that never comes across as forced. The O in "armadillo" plays off splendidly with "owl" and "no" earlier on.
This is definitely worthy of the hashtag #ElizabethBishop and I'm sure she would be proud of all the effort you went into honoring her poem with your own personal take.
10th Nov 2018 1:55am
Thanks Johnny.
I've always admired Bishop's poetry and have felt she's never gotten the recognition she deserves. I sometimes wonder if her work wasn't overshadowed unintentionally overshadowed by Allen Ginsberg's Best Poetry movement.
I've always admired Bishop's poetry and have felt she's never gotten the recognition she deserves. I sometimes wonder if her work wasn't overshadowed unintentionally overshadowed by Allen Ginsberg's Best Poetry movement.
13th Nov 2018 6:58am
Snugglebuck, this was a wonderful yet deviating write of just another way we humans are destroying world in an attempt to make life more convenient.
13th Nov 2018 8:27am
Thank you Bonzi,
I can guarantee with certainty that orbital lighting will become international controversy in the near future.
I can guarantee with certainty that orbital lighting will become international controversy in the near future.
13th Nov 2018 6:06pm
